Written Answers Nos. 523-543
523. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if remedial work will be undertaken at the entrance to Castleknock Railway Station, which is in poor condition and a safety concern due to a broken path and overgrowth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41459/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days.
524. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Smarter Travel: a New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009-2020 is still the policy of his Department; the person within his Department who has responsibility for implementing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41499/17]
View answerThe principles in Smarter Travel Policy are key drivers underpinning transport policy development within my Department and, as the Minister responsible for implementing these policies, I am fully committed to implementing cost-effective actions that will contribute to the delivery of a sustainable and low carbon transport system for Ireland.
The Smarter Travel policy recognises that there is a significant challenge in changing travel behaviour, a challenge that is not exclusive to Ireland. Modal shift to sustainable transport modes and reducing our reliance on the car remain key policy objectives, and this is reflected in the wide range of infrastructure investment and behavioural change programmes administered and supported by my Department.
525. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost for taxi drivers to recalibrate meters when fares are increased by the NTA. [41519/17]
View answerFirstly, I should explain that the regulation of the small public service vehicle, SPSV, industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority, NTA, under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Accordingly, fare changes and associated recalibration issues are a matter for the NTA.
However, in order to be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days.
526. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of redundancies, voluntary or otherwise, of Bus Éireann drivers in the past 12 months; the actions he has taken to ensure the number of redundancies does not destabilise delivery of services at the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41527/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days.
527. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the implementation of recommendation 105 of the road safety strategy 2013 to 2020; if the recommendation has been implemented; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41548/17]
View answerAction 105 of the Road Safety Strategy seeks to make it compulsory for a breakdown emergency pack to be carried in all vehicles.
Extensive research has been done by both my Department and the Road Safety Authority on this issue in the past year. We have also sought information from European countries with the safest road safety record in Europe as to whether they obliged their drivers to carry an emergency pack, and what items are contained in that pack. I note that all of the safest countries, except the UK, require drivers to carry a warning triangle, and only Norway requires them to have a high-visibility vest. None of these countries require any further emergency equipment.
There are a number of issues which remain to be resolved before the feasibility of making the carrying of emergency packs mandatory can be decided, including the seeking of legal advice in relation to legislation to underpin the requirement, penalties for not carrying the equipment and enforcement processes.
My officials are currently considering these issues, and I expect to have this Action resolved before the end of the year.
528. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he has not commenced the section of the Road Traffic Act 2016 which seeks to regulate rickshaws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41577/17]
View answerIt is no longer proposed to commence section 31 of the Road Traffic Act 2016. Legal advice obtained since the enactment of this legislation highlights a significant risk in the provision, especially the making of any regulations under section 31. However the Deputy may recall that I advised the House during the passage of that legislation that the National Transport Authority, NTA, were in the process of considering the future regulation of rickshaws. As part of this, the NTA launched a public consultation process in August this year, which closed very recently.
The NTA will be considering the results of that survey and reporting back to my Department. A review will then be undertaken by my officials and it is my intention to progress with the making of any legislation that is deemed necessary to provide for the future regulation of rickshaws.
529. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulatory involvement that is applied under his Department's supervision to agricultural vehicles of all types, including trailers, quads, tractors, machinery and agricultural equipment such as sprayers and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41588/17]
View answerAgricultural vehicles, trailers and trailed fully mounted implements, must comply with Road Traffic, Construction, and Equipment & Use, CE&U, regulations in order for the vehicles to be used on the public road. My Department has responsibility for the development and implementation of the CE&U regulations.
The CE&U regulations pertaining to agricultural vehicles were revised by the Road Safety Authority in January 2016. Revised standards were introduced to ensure that the regulatory regime took cognisance of advances in agricultural vehicle technology and that it complies with recognised vehicle standards in relation to a number of key safety areas, i.e. braking, suspension systems, tyres and lighting.
The legislation and policy pertaining to the type-approval of agricultural or forestry tractors, their trailers and interchangeable towed machinery, together with their systems, components and separate technical falls under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
530. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the documentation between his Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the 2018 Estimates. [41601/17]
View answerThe Estimates of Expenditure 2018 are still being considered by Government in advance of the publication of the Abridged Estimates along with Budget 2018. In that context, some of the documentation produced by my Department is sensitive and confidential, including documentation between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
However, I would note that, on Budget Day last year, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced that a review of day-to-day Government spending would take place in advance of Budget 2018. The 2017 Spending Review is the first in a series of rolling selective reviews, which will cover the totality of Government spending over a three-year period to 2019. The results of the first year of this new approach were published with Mid-Year Expenditure Review and can be found on the www.per.gov.ie site. My Department has also provided a comprehensive and prioritised analysis of capital expenditure needs in the areas for which I have responsibility. This analysis was provided in the submission on the mid-term review of the Capital Plan earlier this year, which can be found on that site also, and in subsequent submissions to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the 2018 Estimates.
Clearly as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I will endeavour to achieve the greatest level of funding to support continued and necessary investment. However, I am conscious that all members of Government should be prudent and operate within the State's existing financial constraints. Of course, I also need to balance considerations like the need to spend in order to maintain the integrity of our transport infrastructure. Such maintenance expenditure is in itself an example of prudent financial management.
Details of my Department's allocations for 2018 will be available once the Budget is announced.
531. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the bid for Rugby World Cup 2023 is successful, the departmental Vote from which the funding for the actual bid will come. [41602/17]
View answer532. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the bid for the Rugby World Cup 2023 is successful, if his Department will have to provide the required bid funding of a minimum of €120 million from within its current budget allocation; and if so, if special provision will be made for same. [41603/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 532 together.
I am very hopeful that Ireland will be successful in its bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. A successful bid would see tourism benefit from increased overseas visitors of between 377,000 and 450,000 visitors generating an estimated direct spend in Ireland of between €417 million and €723 million, including additional tax returns of between €96 million and €166 million, depending on the number of visitors, length of stay and spend per day. It would also support the tourism industry in the shoulder season thus providing increased employment during the weeks of the tournament. Employment will also be created in the preparations for hosting the tournament.
My Department has begun prudent planning in anticipation of a successful bid and the allocation for the Rugby World Cup will be decided in the context of the Estimates process between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
533. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a proposal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41629/17]
View answerThe issues raised are a matter for Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both organisations for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
534. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a sports capital grant application by a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41750/17]
View answerThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on 24 February and I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. The total amount currently available to allocate under this round is €30 million. Accordingly, the allocation of grants will be particularly challenging.
All of the 2,320 applications received are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement regarding allocations in the coming weeks.
535. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a sports capital grant will be awarded to a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41751/17]
View answerThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on 24 February and I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. The total amount currently available to allocate under this round is €30 million. Accordingly, the allocation of grants will be particularly challenging.
All of the 2,320 applications received are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement regarding allocations in the coming weeks.
536. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided for proposals put to his Department by Galway city and county councils for the provision of a park and ride service between Galway Airport and Galway city in order to ease traffic congestion for commuters and to support the business community in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41761/17]
View answerA transport strategy for Galway city was prepared by the National Transport Authority, NTA, in partnership with Galway City Council and Galway County Council in 2016. The Strategy sets out an overall framework for the development of transport infrastructure and services in Galway city and its environs over a twenty year period, including the development of park and ride facilities at suitable locations. It has been included in the new City Development Plan which was adopted by the city council and came into force in January 2017. The implementation of the Strategy is primarily a matter for the local authority to pursue.
The NTA administers the Regional Cities Programme for investment in public transport infrastructure in the regional cities including Galway. Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days.
537. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on altering the rules of the road to reflect the advice provided to drivers in the Netherlands (details supplied). [41776/17]
View answerWhile the Rules of the Road generally reflect what is provided for in road traffic legislation, the overall aim of the booklet is to promote safety, good driving practice and courtesy in using our roads according to that legisation. Where additional advice, such as that outlined by the Deputy, does not require underpinning by legislation, the booklet can be amended in a more straightforward manner.
I am therefore passing the Deputy's proposal on to the Road Safety Authority, who have responsibility for amending and publishing the Rules of the Road, for them to consider for inclusion.
538. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans for Irish Rail to close a crossing (details supplied); if the crossing is part of a general scheme being considered for closure in 2018; if the installation of electronic gates can be considered at this crossing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41813/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days.
539. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to bring forward legislation to make it compulsory to wear a high-visibility top and reflective clothing on unlit roads after dark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41858/17]
View answerTo create a statutory obligation on the wearing of reflective clothing would entail making it a criminal offence under Road Traffic legislation for any person guilty of not wearing high-visibility clothing. A person in breach of such a provision would fall to be issued with a fixed charge notice or summonsed to court, depending on whatever procedure would be put in place for the processing of such offences. I am of the view that despite certain obstacles, this measure is worth pursuing, if it could save even one life. However, in the short term, I am exploring whether the wearing of high-visibility clothing is better achieved by way of educational and publicity campaigns run by the Road Safety Authority, RSA, rather than by pursuing a punitive approach to the issue, particularly having regard to the large numbers of children and young people who cycle.
Indeed, the RSA, which has responsibility for the promotion of road safety awareness, advertising and the dissemination of road safety information, has already undertaken a number of campaigns to promote awareness among pedestrians and cyclists of the need for visibility on our roads.
Almost four million high-visibility vests, armbands, rucksack covers and other such items have been distributed by the RSA, An Garda Síochána, Road Safety Officers, Age Action and the Vintners Federation over the past four years. A number of measures have also been included in the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 aimed at increasing the wearing of high visibility clothing among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. The Rules of the Road also include a strong recommendation supporting the wearing of light, and preferably high-visibility, clothing.
540. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the length of time children in CHO area 7, Dublin south west LHO and the catchment area of Tallaght are waiting to be allocated a social worker in cases of child protection and children in care and high-priority cases of child protection and children in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41433/17]
View answer541. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the length of time children in CHO area 8, Longford and Westmeath LHO and the catchment area of Mullingar are waiting to be allocated a social worker in cases of child protection and children in care and high-priority cases of child protection and children in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41440/17]
View answer542. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the length of time children in CHO area 4, Cork south Lee LHO and the catchment area of Mahon are waiting to be allocated a social worker in cases of child protection and children in care and in high-priority cases of child protection and children in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41447/17]
View answer543. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the length of time children in CHO area 3, Tipperary north east Limerick LHO and the catchment area of Thurles are waiting to be allocated a social worker in cases of child protection and children in care and in high-priority cases of child protection and children in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41454/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 to 543, inclusive, together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has informed me that, at the end of July 2017, there were 6,272 children in care. Of these, 323 (5%) did not have an allocated social worker. It is important to note that if children have not been allocated a social worker, their needs are reviewed regularly by the Principal Social Worker.
Tusla does not collate data by county; however the the relevant information, correct to end of July 2017, is detailed in tabular form below. This information is published monthly as the, “National Performance and Activity Dashboard”, on: www.tusla.ie/data-figures.
|
Administrative Area |
Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow |
Midlands |
Cork |
Mid-West |
|
Number of children in care |
436 |
393 |
845 |
601 |
|
Number of children in care awaiting allocation of a social worker |
62 |
38 |
24 |
27 |
|
Number of open cases |
2,078 |
1,519 |
3,664 |
1,541 |
|
Number of open cases awaiting allocation of a social worker |
900 |
328 |
689 |
145 |
|
Number of high priority open cases |
312 |
48 |
64 |
17 |
I am informed by Tusla that a case awaiting allocation may be listed as "active" on a "duty" system. This means that there are actions being undertaken by a dedicated duty team or rotating social workers on a duty roster to progress the protection and welfare of the child. Examples of actions being undertaken include telephone calls relating to the concern, visits to see the child, completing initial assessments and, where a child is in care, completing child in care reviews or care plans.
I can inform the Deputy that there were 26,192 open cases nationally at the end of July, which includes children in care. Of these, 5,524 were awaiting allocation of a social worker. An open case is one which is assessed as needing a dedicated (allocated) social work service. Of these, 816 were designated as high-priority, 3,609 as medium-priority and 1,099 as low-priority.
A high-priority case can include children needing further child protection assessment and intervention, children involved with child protection court proceedings, children in care for less than six months and children with high risk mental health and anti-social difficulties. Many children who are deemed medium and low priority have welfare rather than child protection needs and will engage with family support services.
The following table provides information on the length of time the 816 high-priority open cases are awaiting allocation of a social worker.
|
High Priority Open Cases Awaiting Allocation, by time waiting July 2017 |
|
|
< 1 month |
195 |
|
1 - 3 months |
218 |
|
>3 months |
403 |
|
Total |
816 |
Addressing the number of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is a priority for me. I secured additional funding for the purpose of addressing this issue in 2017, and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is now in the second year of a three-year plan to provide for the allocation of a dedicated social worker to all children who need one. The Deputy should note that all urgent and emergency cases notified to Tusla are dealt with immediately. Urgent and emergency cases could involve cases of abandonment, allegations of physical and sexual abuse, parental ill health leading to the need for an immediate placement, or threat to the safety or life of a child by a third party.
My Department will continue to closely monitor progress in this regard. I attach a high priority to tackling this matter and I will continue to engage directly with the Tusla Board and senior management team, over the course of the year, to review progress.
